Images of Loss and the Meaning of Change
Over the past few weeks, when watching the news, and hearing stories from my family and friends, I heard about and saw pictures of loss, or voices of change. Specifically, we think about those images from Katrina as it ripped through the gulf coast, causing lives of so many to change in a moment, or the loss of Chief Justice Rehnquist and his death from cancer. Some of the losses are more grandious than others. The most visible of those images were permanent fixtures, such as homes, businesses, cars, all ripped away from individuals in a blink of the eye. Some lost their spouses, children, parents, or other loved ones. Other types of losses related to news of an illness or failure relationship, some type of event that caused someone or something to change.
Loss and change can be difficult, and there is no quick fix or bandage that can be placed upon oneself to soothe the scars of desolation or destruction. At times, we are left with a feelings of pain and confusion once something is taken from us, unable to understand why this has happened or what it means for us in terms of time, place, and destination. One individual may begin to ask, 'why,' effecting his/her relationship with God, self, or others. Some realtionships fall apart, and others come together. As some of you know, I lost my father in mid-July. Cosequently, I too had to take a look at what myself as a result of his sudden death.
When we lose someone or something, it often means that we must engage in a process of re-examination, and look at our lives through a new pair of glasses, as our dreams are thwarted, or homes destroyed, or jobs taken away us., or relationships with others fall apart. It is what we do with ourselves, and the process of how we move forward, that provides a glimmer of insight into the way we deal with loss or change as it occurs.
One image that I saw last night on the news, was that many of the survivors of the hurricane are accepting their losses, and have come to an understanding that this may be time to establish a new beginning for them to go forward with their lives and accept the changes that have surfaced. On a similar note, a new selection for Chief Justice has been announced, quickly, I might add, with an understanding that change is ineffable, and, the business of the Court will carry on, as usual, but with some element of newness to it.
Often, when we lose someone or something, we ask 'why' rather than 'what.' For myself, I may ask whether God is testing me, or why something has happened to me, to cause so much pain. What does it all mean, ultimately?
Although simplistic, it can truly be said that for every moment of change is an opportunity to grow, depending upon our state of mind and wilingness to go forward without regret or resentment. I am reminded of the beautiful words of Martin Buber who said, "all journies have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." In these times of change and loss, it is important not to loose hope, to cling to our beliefs, to have faith, wherever that may be found, and use the meoories of what was, to allow us to stand strong and be strengthened.
Thank you for your minds.
Loss and change can be difficult, and there is no quick fix or bandage that can be placed upon oneself to soothe the scars of desolation or destruction. At times, we are left with a feelings of pain and confusion once something is taken from us, unable to understand why this has happened or what it means for us in terms of time, place, and destination. One individual may begin to ask, 'why,' effecting his/her relationship with God, self, or others. Some realtionships fall apart, and others come together. As some of you know, I lost my father in mid-July. Cosequently, I too had to take a look at what myself as a result of his sudden death.
When we lose someone or something, it often means that we must engage in a process of re-examination, and look at our lives through a new pair of glasses, as our dreams are thwarted, or homes destroyed, or jobs taken away us., or relationships with others fall apart. It is what we do with ourselves, and the process of how we move forward, that provides a glimmer of insight into the way we deal with loss or change as it occurs.
One image that I saw last night on the news, was that many of the survivors of the hurricane are accepting their losses, and have come to an understanding that this may be time to establish a new beginning for them to go forward with their lives and accept the changes that have surfaced. On a similar note, a new selection for Chief Justice has been announced, quickly, I might add, with an understanding that change is ineffable, and, the business of the Court will carry on, as usual, but with some element of newness to it.
Often, when we lose someone or something, we ask 'why' rather than 'what.' For myself, I may ask whether God is testing me, or why something has happened to me, to cause so much pain. What does it all mean, ultimately?
Although simplistic, it can truly be said that for every moment of change is an opportunity to grow, depending upon our state of mind and wilingness to go forward without regret or resentment. I am reminded of the beautiful words of Martin Buber who said, "all journies have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." In these times of change and loss, it is important not to loose hope, to cling to our beliefs, to have faith, wherever that may be found, and use the meoories of what was, to allow us to stand strong and be strengthened.
Thank you for your minds.
6 Comments:
Since I don't believe in God, it is always what, and not why. The why for me is easy. They universe is a strange place. It happened because it happened. It's all in how I deal with what happens. Knowing that I am in control of my own fate makes it easier for me to accept the bad and celebrate the good. I try to learn everything I can from each situation, and that helps me to deal with subsequent situations. I don't dwell on the past because there's nothing I can do to change it, and I rejoice at good memories, but know what life is constantly changing, and we can never have or expect the same experiences again. Each moment in my life is different, presents new challenges and blessing, and that makes it all worth it.
Callie,
That's what we're hoping for. We need some major changes in laws and government for there to be any real good done, but if we're viligant and vocal, I believe we can make it happen.
Barbara,
More and more, I am taken by how much you and I are alike. I think that, more than what we believe, binds us together. When something happens, we jump to the "why" because we have answers for what, when, where, and how, but we still feel empty. We're searching, but we forget that the "why" is not so important.
So we focus on the fact that if you and I are so far apart and ye so much alike, there must be other people out there, who are also like us, who are sufferring. And we look past money and religion and politics and do what needs o be done because if we're lucky, when we're in need, someone who is just like us will find us and help. So the why should be reserved for what we do and how we do it, because that's the only thing WE can control.
Thank you for your kind words, P.C., they are appreciated.
After so many years, I try to live inside the moment, whatever that may mean. I will say, howerver, you say you do not believe in God. I used to be that way, but through the years, have become more intertwined with a belief in God, hope and faith. I find there are few non-believers inside of foxholes. This is just my personal experience.
Barbara: I think you might be interested in this-it's a survivor's view of the tragedy in New Orleans. (My uncle actually knows him-he's the reference to Boston in the article! ;) )
http://www.aish.com/societyWork/society/Refugees_from_the_Storm.asp
TRW,
Thank you for the link. It sounds wonderful, and I will most definitely check it out.
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